Seat warmer



Dec. 29, 1931. KlN 1,8393% SEAT WARMER Filed Feb. 21, 1950 ZSheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR WITNESS ZEZu/m Kin fl w/ BY P ATTCRN EY Dec. 29, @931.

E. K. LUMPKIN SEAT WARMER Filed Feb. 21. 1950 WlTNESS Z7" 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR igfilzzmpifin ATTORNEY Patented Dec. 29, 1931 UNITED. STATES raise- "nnwm KLUMPKIN, or ATHENS, GEORGIA SEAT WARMER Application filed February 21, 1930. Serial No. $30,328

My invention-relates to seat warming devices, more particularly to seatwarming'devices for use on toilet seats, and it'consists in the combinations, constructions and" arrangements herein described. I

An object of my invention is to provide a seat warmer adapted to rece'ivea heating fluid from conventional sources of supply.

A further object of my invention is to provide a seat'warmer that is readily attachable to ordinary forms of seats now in use, or that may hereafter be used, established or installed.

A further object of my invention is to provide a seat warmer, which while ,con-

nected to a source of heating fluid is still operable without interference from said connection.

A further object of my invention is to pro-,

vide a seat heating device that is simplein construction, has few parts, is easy to manufacture, and will not get out of order easily.

Other objects and advantages will appear as the specification proceeds and the invention will be more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

My device is illustrated in the accompanying drawings forming'a partof this specification in which:

Figure 1 is an elevational view of my invention in operative position;

Fig. 2 is stop plan view of the device shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an elevational view of a seat in raised position equipped with my device;

Fig. 4 is an elevational view of a modi-. fied form of my device for use on another form of seat;

Fig. 5 is an elevational view of a further modified form of the invention; s

Fig. 6 is a cross sectional view on line 66 of,Fig.5; T

Fig. 7 is an elevational view of a further modified form of the invention; y I

Figs. 8 and 9 are perspective detail views of modified forms of the device;

Fig. 10 is an elevational view of a modified form of the invention with parts thereof broken away;

50 Fig. 11 is an elevational view of a modified .form of the device with parts thereof being I broken away;

Fig. 12 is asectional view on the line l212 ofFig. 11; a I

i Fig. 13 is an elevational viewof a further modified form of the invention, with parts thereof being broken away;

' Fig. 14 is an elevational view. of a further modified form of the invention, with parts thereof being brok enaway; so Fig. 15 is a sectional view on line 1515 of Fig. 14; V Fig. 16 isa sectional view on line 16-.16 of Fig. 14;

Fig. 17 is an elevational view-"of a further modified form of the invention with parts thereof broken away, l ;I

Fig. 18 is a sectional view on line 1818 ofFig.,17;.,f, I

Fig. 19 is a detail view of a portion of the to device." I v In carrying out m invention I make-use of a toilet seat 1 of ordinary construction having an unbroken annular portion 2.. This seat is mounted pivotally as appears at 3 to' 76 the bowl 4 of the toilet 5 which may be of any ordinary construction and constitutes no part of this invention. p For heating the seat I provide the. pipe 6, bent into or madev in circular form and'se- 89 cured to the base or underside of the seat 1 by any suitable attaching means such as that. shown at 7. This pipe 6 may be mounted in a hollow groove, orv may be countersunk with-. in the underside of the annular portion 20f 35 seat 1 or secured to the surface. or the outer rim of the same as desired, thus only partially embedding the pipe. It may extend in a complete circle as shown or through. a portion of a circle; The tubular heating chamber 90 may also be formed Within the seat itself,

one standing facing the toilet) for use in cases where the toilet was already installed, and where the hot water pipe of the tub (or wash basin) was on the right side of the toilet. In such a case the plumber making the attachment could stop u the holes in the appliance, for the escape of t e water into the bowl, and

.make them at the proper or new underside of the piping.-

For circulating the heating fluidthrough this circular pipe 6 to warm the seat, I provide said pipe with a nozzle 8, connected to said pi e 6, at the rear portion thereof adjacent t e hinged part of the seat. This nozzle projects from said pipe 6 in the general direction of the source of hot Water supply. The projecting end of this nozzle is threaded, adapting the same for engagement with a flexible tubing having the threaded end 10 for engagement with said nozzle. Thistube 9 may be formed of rubber, wired fabric, or asbestos, or any other suitable material. The opposite end of this flexible tube '9 is connected, as shown at 11, to any suitable source of heating fluid su ply as a wash basin or as shown on this pre erred embodiment as the hot water pipe 12 of a bath tub 13 of usual construction. A suitable stop cook 14 is pro vided for controlling the admission of warmin fluid to the seat warmer.

From the foregoing description of the device the operation thereof may be easily understood. When it is desired to warm the seat, the operator opens valve 14 causin a flow of warm water from pipe 12 to flexi le tubing member 9. The warm water flows I through nozzle 8 into pi e 6 and through said pipe 6 to holes 16at' the ar end thereof, where it is discharged into the bowl 4 of the toilet. During this passage of the water the seat is warmed by conduction of heat from the walls of the tube 6 to the neighboring walls of seat member 1.

The seat 1 is readily movable from the closed position of Figs. 1 and 2 to the open position of Fi 3, without disconnection of the flexible tu ing 9 or other parts, as the nozzle connected to said tubing 9 is positioned adjacent the hinges 3 and consequently does not have a large radius of rotation when said seat 1 is swung onsaid hinges. For this reason the end of the flexible tubing 9 is not moved from its position during the opening and closing operations.

Figs; 4, 5 and 6 show modifications of the invention adapted for use on broken or open ended toilet seats.

In that form shown in Fig. 4 the heating device, which can be imbedded or partly im bedded within the seat 17 as illustrated comprises a metal tube 18 bent into or made in a specific form for this typeofseat. The nozzle 1-9 is secured to this tube at the same relative position as in the preceding modification, and circulates the warming fluid in the same manner, which requires no further description. This nozzle communicates with the outer circular portion 18 of the tube 18 as shown at 20. From the point 20 the tube follows the curve of the seat to one of the ends 21 thereof, whereat it turns inwardly and back onto itself following the curve of the seat inwardly of the portion 18 of the tube 18 until it reaches the opposite end 22 of the seat. At this point, the tube is again bent backward and follows the curve of the seat outwardly of the inner portion 18 of the tube to a point 23 adjacent the nozzle. The tube at this point is plugged or stopped and the outlet hole 24 provided for permitting the emission of the fluid.

The tubular portions 18a and 180 of the tube 18 need not be in spaced relation, but

may bebrought into close engagement with one another.

4 It is readily seen that in this form of the device the fluid will pass through the tube 18 and into the bowl 4 as described before, warm-.

ing the seat in so doing.

As appears in Figs. 5 and 6 my device as applied to seats of this open-ended construction need not consist of a single tubular member, but may be formed of a double bore tubular member, generally designated at 24. and having the pair of bores 26 and 27 therein separated by an inner partition or core 28, said partition 28 having apertures at the ends 29 and 30 thereof to allow the circulation of fluid therebetween. The tube 27 is plugged or stopped adjacent the nozzle at the point 32 and a suitable outlet 33 formed in said bore I for the passage of liquid from said bore 27. Both the nozzle 31 and the outlet 33 communicate onl with bore 27. The double bore may also formed within the seat itself if desired.

The water in this form of the invention circulates as in the modification illustrated in Fig. 4 warming the seat in so doing.

In that form of the invention shown in Fig. 7 I show a single pipe 34 bent or made in circular form provided with a nozzle 35 for the introduction of fluid and apertures 36 and 37 for the outflow thereof. This device may be applied to either a broken or unbroken seat. In Fig. 7 it is shown as applied to a broken seat 38, in which case the portion 39 thereof may be left in place or removed from the pipe in which case the cuts whereat removal takes place may be suitably plugged in any manner. It is obvious that the flow of the fluid will take place in both directions the tubing may bepressed or cut out. In Figs.

8 and 9 I show tubing constructed in such a manner.

In Fig. 8 the tubing is shown as having a substantially flat plane surface 42 for engagement with the underside of theseat and a downwardly extending semi-circular portion 43. This flat surface 42 provides a suitable construction for engagement with the underside of the seat.

In the form shown in Fig. 9 the tubing is shown as being substantially rectangular in formation and having a top plane surface 44 with projecting flanges 45 through which apertures 46 with which suitable fastening means may be engaged to secure the tubing to the seat.

It is obvious that these forms of construction shown in Figs. 8 and 9 may be utilized in any of the modifications of the invention and that said construction may be varied as desired, without departing from the scope of the invention.

In adapting my invention to a hollow seat usually formed of metal or other material having a high conductance of heat, I provide said hollow seat with a means for introducing a fluid therein and a means for releasin the fluid therefrom after circulation througdiout the hollow portion.

In that form of the invention shown in Fig. 10, I provide the hollow seat 47 with a nozzle 48 which may be made integral with said seat as shown or threadedly related thereto through a bore at the point. 49. This nozzle 48 is adapted to engage the flexible member 9 as shown in the preceding modifications.

For assuring circulation of the water or other fluids throughout the hollow portion of the seat I insert therein adjacent the nozzle 48, and preferably at the rear of the direction taken by said nozzle, a stop or partition wall, shown at 50. The release or exit port or aperture 51 is provided on the opposite side of this partition.

The operation of this form of the invention is obvious. The fluid will enter the nozzle 48 from the tube 9 from anysuitable source of supply, pass into the hollow of the seat, as shown by the arrow positioned at the mouth of said nozzle and will pass in a clockwise direction about said seat, as indicated by the arrows thereon to the partition 50, whereat the flow willbe stopped and exit at the port 51 will be assured. The fluid then flows into the bowl 4 as heretofore set forth.

In that modification of the invention shown in Fig. 11 I show the invention as applied to a broken seat In this form of the invention a nozzle. 53 is provided as in the modification of Fig. 10 by either forming the same integral with the seat 52 or detachably relating the same thereto. This nozzle may be directed in an anti-clockwise direction, as shown, or in a clockwise direction as desired. It provides means for ready attachment to the flexible tube 9 for reception of a fluid from the source of supply and ports to nozzle 53 and positioned in the direction in which said nozzle is directed. It is obvious that this baflie will dissipate partially the force of the inflowing fluid in the direction in which the nozzle is pointed, thereby tending to equalize the flow of water in both directions. This baflie may be proportioned desired to secure this result.

The operation of this form of the inven. tion is obvious. The fluid entering the nozzle 53 emanates therefrom and flows in the directions of the arrows to the apertures 54 and 55 through which it is deposited in the bowl 4, as heretofore described.

In some constructions it might be d csirable to do away with the baflle 56 to simplify the structure and to permit the circulation of the water without restraint. In Fig. 13 I show such construction. In this form of the device a nozzle 57 is used for the introduction of the fluid as in the other modifications. The hollow in the seat is unobstructed in any manner as shown in said figure. The apertures or ports 58 and 59 are provided adjacent the forward portion of the seat as shown. If desired the aperture 58 which is close to the intake or nozzle 57 may be made smaller in extent than the port 59 which is situated substantially diametrically opposite the same, or the ports may be made of uniform width.

It is obvious that in this construction if the port 58 is made smaller than the port 59 the greater part of the fluid emanating from the nozzle 57, in the direction of the arrow 60, will flow across said port 58 and meet the fluid flowing in the opposite direction. as in dicated by the arrow 61, at a point substantially adjacent to or co-in'cident with the large port 59 through which the fluid will flow into the bowl. The fluid flowing 1mm the port 58 will flow with increased velocity over that flowing from port 59 due to the velocity of the fluid directed thereove-r flowing in the direction of the arrow 60 because of the proximity of the inlet 57 to said port 58. The nozzle 57 may be connected to the flexible tube 9 as has been heretofore setforth.

To assure a maximum use of the heat contained in the fluid as well as an efficient circulation of said fluid, the construction shown in Fig. 14 is devised. In this form of the invention a nozzle 62 is positioned for communication with the hollow 63 of the seat and for connection with a flexible tube 9 as in the preceding forms. At a point slightly to the rear of the nozzle 62 and to the rear of the direction in which the flow therefrom takes place. exit apertures or ports 61 are provided.

The seat is adapted for the circulation of the fluid from the nozzle 62 to the ports 64 in a manner that will assure the heating of the top surface of said seat by said fluid by means of horizontal partition walls 65 and 66. As indicated most clearly in Fig. 15 these partition walls are provided with suitable stops 6? and 68, respectively, which assure the circulation of the fluid as will be described. The stop 67 consisting of a substantially vertically-positioned wall engages the partition wall 6:") preventing back flow of the fluid emanating from the nozzle 62, while the stop its prevents the fluid from flowing past the ports or apertures 64, thereby assuring the exit of said fluid. As also appears most learly in Fig. 15 the stops 67 and 68 are suliieiently spaced to provide a passage 69 therebetween for permitting a flow of fluid in the directions or" the arrows on said figure. The plates 65 and 66 terminate in spaced relation to the ends 70 and 71 of the seat to allow a flow oi the fluid thereabout.

The operation oi this form of the invention is easily understood. The fluid entering through the nozzle 62 flows in the. direction of the arrows 72. this flow being assured by the stop 67. The fluid then passes within the hollow between the partitions 65 and the top 73 of the seat until it reaches the end 71 of said scat. At this point, because of the spaced relation of the partition 65 with said end of the seat, the fluid passes about said partition and flows in the hollow provided between said partition and the base 74 of the seat. hen the fluid reaches the stop 68 adjacent the nozzle 62 and the stop 67, it flows through the passage 69 between said stops 67 and 68 and into the hollow provided between the partition 66 and the top 73 of the seat. The fluid passes along to the end of the partition 66 and downwardly through the space provided between said end and the end 70 of the seat. It then is directed along the partition provided between the partition 66 and the base 7t of the seat until it is stopped by the downwardly projecting end 68 of the partition 66 and flows through the port 61 into the bowl 4. It is obvious that the whole body oi the fluid passing adjacent the top portions of the seat at certain specific times of its circulation will readily heat said top portion in a more etlieie'nt manner than if a means providing for said circulation were not utilized.

The fluid may be made to circulate tor a. .J'W'illtl length f tim adjac nt the top por tion oi the seat by means oi that construction shown in Fig. 17. In this modification of the invention the seat is provided with the usual nozzle, indicated at 75, for reception of the fluid from tube 9 and the apertures or ports 76 for release of the fluid from the seat. For directing the circulation of said fluid the partition walls 77 and 78 are provided. These partition walls have adjacent stop portions 79 and 80, respectively, which are in spaced relation to one another to provide a passage 81 therebetween and which are positioned adjacent the nozzle 7 5 in a manner similar to the horizontally-placed partition and 66 of the modification of Fig. 15. As can easily be seen from Fig. 17 the partition Walls in this case are vertically positioned. As in the case of the horizontal walls the partitions 77 and 78 terminate in spaced relation with the ends 82 and 88 of the seat as is indicated at 84 and85.

The operation of this form of the device is obvious. The fluid passing from the nozzle 75 flows in the direction of the arrow 86 to the passage provided between the partition wall 77 and the outer rim 87 of the seat. On reaching the end 83 of the seat the fluid flows about the end 85 of said partition and retraces its passage on the other side of said partition in the hollow between said partition and the inner rim 88 of the seat. It passes through the passage 81 provided between the stops 79 and 80 about the outer side of partition 78 through the passage provided between said partition and the outer rim 87 of the seat and through the passage between the end 84 of the partition 77 and the end 82 of the seat. The fluid is then directed backwardly from the end 82 until it is stopped by the Wall 79 of partition 78 and flows from the port 76 into the bowl 4, as is easily understood. In some cases it might be desirable to provide the ports of all the seats with small nozzles, such as that shown in Fig. 19 and indicated by the numeral 89. These small nozzles will assure the passage of the fluid from the seat into the bowl, as is obvious. It is understood that these nozzles may be used on any of the forms of my invention either those involving the construction as adapted to a hollow seat or in those constructions in which the invention is shown as applied to a solid seat. In such latternamed case, of course, the nozzle would be applied to the pipe for containing the fluid.

It is readily apparent that my device may be used for the cooling of the seat as well as warming the same. the device being readily adaptable for connection to any suitable source of fluid supply and for operation by any suitable fluid.

It is thus seen that I have provided a device that is readily adaptable for controlling the temperature of a seat or other body to be cooled or heated.

It is also understood that any invention may be used for heating bodies other than seats, as desired.

What is claimed is: 1. A hollow toilet seat having an open 5 front, means for the introduction of a fluid therein for controlling the temperature of said seat, ports in spaced relation with said fluid introduction means for the release of said fluid from the seat, partitions extending in vertical planes and concentric with the vertical walls of said seat forming interconnected passages and stops co-operating with said partitions and the walls of said seat for directing the flow of the fluid through the passages and said ports.

2. A hollow toilet seat having an open front, means for the introduction of a fluid therein, ports' for the release of said fluid situated in spaced relation to said fluid introduction means, partitions extending throughout the major portion of said hollow seat and dividing said seat into interconnected passages, and stops cooperating with said partitions for directing the flow of fluid throughout said passages and through said ports.

3. A hollow seat having an open front, means for introduction of a fluid therein, parts for the release of said fluid situated in spaced relation to said fluid introducing means, partitions carried by opposed wall members of said seat and extending in spaced parallel relation to said walls'and dividing said seat into interconnected passages andv stops defined by the juncture of said partition and walls cooperating with said partitions for directing the flow of fluid throughout said passages and through said ports.

E. K. LUMPKIN. 

